Tag: positivity

Day 22 – accepting

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Writing into Life

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After a morning walk with Lydia and an afternoon visit to see a friend, I settle down to a relaxing evening.

Nothing much to do; nothing to prove.

I don’t know what the future holds, and have a lot of fear associated with this, but I can’t do any more, for now.

All I can do is what I’ve been doing, take each day at a time and be as positive as I can be within it; also accept that some days are better than others and sometimes it’s good just to do very little.

This morning, I said some prayers for meditation that are provided in the book, Universal Compassion, by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche. I’m familiar with these prayers as I’ve recited them several times at different ceremonies I’ve taken part in at Buddhist Centres over a number of years. It felt good, to refamiliarize myself with the words, that are so soothing and somehow reassuring. I don’t even feel I need to fully understand them, just say them, meditate and take it on faith that they will help me through; they are helping me through.

Day 3 – faith

'A Poetic Potter & A Potting Poet'Leave a comment

Writing into Life

One of the meanings of the name ‘Lydia’ is ‘beloved. She is.

Some friends have a dog called Faith. Faith is a small dog. I sometimes refer to our friends as, “Oh ye of little Faith”. 

Faith is something I’ve been looking for all my life.

For a long time, I didn’t know this.  I just knew that there was something missing and I had to find a way of finding it.

In the past I’ve taken ‘leaps of faith’, bracing myself for big steps without knowing where they were going to lead. Landing on unfamiliar ground has led to growth, as I’ve struggled to find my feet and keep going from there.

More recently though, I’ve found an increasing sense of faith in Buddhism; the teachings of Buddha.

Having previously explored different branches of Buddhism, I’ve found strength through the Kadampa tradition, or what is now known as the New Kadampa tradition.

Drawing from my own experiences of Buddhist teachings through the New Kadampa tradition, I find that they are accessible, practical and available.

The Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche – founder and spiritual director of the New Kadampa Tradition – wrote books that present the teachings in a way that is relevant to our modern world and our day-to-day lives.

I’m not a scholar, or a great reader, but I find that I don’t have to be.  Other people who are better scholars and readers than me are prepared to share their skills and knowledge, in ways that help me to live my life. That is something I am so grateful and thankful for.

I somehow find that I don’t want or need to question. I just listen, and put what I can into practice on a day-to-day level. It’s so reassuring when I find that even just trying, making a positive effort, is recognised as a step in the right direction.

So, I’ll keep taking those steps, as I keep taking my steps with Lydia when we’re out walking together on a morning.  We don’t necessarily know where we’re going, but we have faith that we’re on the right path.